Tongue press
Object No. 2007/69/1
This kitchen tongue press was used to make jellied ox tongue. It could be made by simmering two tongues with onion. To this was added a dash of gelatine (another beef product) which was then placed in the press. The bar was then locked into the hooks, the metal disc screwed down and left overnight. While ox tongue is still available today its popularity has declined in Australia along with other cuts of meat such as brains and offal. In addition, pressed tongue can now be bought ready made in a tin. This tongue press is an example of wares that were commonly used at the start of the twentieth century. Many household items were passed on to other generations or repaired when broken to save on cost and waste. It demonstrates how our society has changed as today most cooking utensils are mass-produced and thrown out when broken and then replaced with a new one.
Loading...
Summary
Object Statement
Tongue press (3 pieces), metal, maker unknown, Australia / Ireland, 1900 -1910, owned by Eileen Hughes, used in Ireland / Australia, c. 1900-1990
Physical Description
A metal tongue press with three parts. The first two parts consist of a cylindrical shaped container with two hooks attached on opposite sides of its top and a removable flat base with three rows of holes radiating from its centre. The third part consists of a centre press that is inserted inside the container. It has a thin circular plate at the bottom that is attached to a long screw at its centre. At the top of the screw is a handle. Intersecting at the bottom of the handle and the top of the screw is a metal piece rod that attaches to the hooks on either side of the container and locks the screw into place when the press is in use.
DIMENSIONS
Height
240 mm
Diameter
187 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
The maker of this tongue press is unknown. It was made in Australia or Ireland between 1900 and 1910.
HISTORY
Notes
This tongue press was owned by Mrs Eileen Hughes who was given it by her mother who was born in Ireland. Eileen was the donor's next door neighbour and gave the tongue press to his wife. The donor's wife used the tongue press up until the early 1990s and learnt how to use it from her mother who had used one when she lived in Wales. Her mother lived with them when she came out to Australia in 1964 for 17 years. The tongue press made for cheaper living because of its home-made component. This tongue press was used in the cooking process to make ox tongues. Two ox tongues would be purchased and then corned by pressure of a salt solution. This would take three hours, and the skin would blister. They would then be boiled for a little while with onion or carrots. The tongues were then removed and the liquid left behind was used for soup. The skin was then removed from the tongues and they were placed in the tongue press container with the screw on top. They were then pressed down by using the screw and left overnight. Extra pressure could be applied using a container the same size that could be placed on top with weights on it. The excess liquid would drain out of the holes at the bottom of the container. The purpose of the tongue press was to make the tongues into a firm moulded shape that could then be easily sliced for sandwiches or salads. A jelly was also formed and could be used.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Harvey McDonald, 2007
Acquisition Date
21 June 2007
Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.
Image Licensing Enquiry
Object Enquiry